Today is the last day to enter to win TELL ME WHO I AM. So get on over and enter, if you haven’t. Because WINNING IS FUN. Remember that?
Also, New York. I am going. (Coming?) Soon. In a week I will be there. And I am excited more than I am nervous. Remember how I gave up fear for Lent? Still doing well with that, even though Lent is over. And hooray for me. I can ride a subway (or two or three) alone. I can eat alone. I can buy an app that will tell me where to find one of the very few public restrooms in the Great City. (And possibly I can go a week without drinking any water, but probably not.) I can walk through Central Park alone. I can go see two (2) shows alone. I can write many words alone, when nobody is there to help me count them. [1] And I can be productive for hours and hours at a time. Especially when I’m not being tempted to watch period pieces on Netflix, due to the cost of wifi in the hotel.
(Sidenote: If you run an expensive, classy hotel, why do you charge for wifi? I’m just wondering. Wifi seems like one of those things, like oxygen, that should just come with your room these days. End sidenote.)
Prom is Saturday. Kid 1 has a pair of sparkly silver shoes and a web browser full of Prom Hair Ideas. Also a lovely borrowed dress. Photos to come, if you like.
I’m working on a new book. (It’s the one that follows the current book that is in the hands of Agent Meredith.) Maybe. I’ve never written a sequel before. Actually, that’s not true. I have 2 different series in my drafts folder. Each of them has at least three volumes started. And… None of them is publishable. So maybe what I’m saying is that I don’t know HOW to write a sequel, a series, a follow-up. I think it’s hard work. And we all know how I feel about hard work. But I’m learning how. By doing it (again). And it’s not so bad, in a first-draft/so-far-fewer-than-10,000-words kind of way. Not necessarily good, is what I’m saying, but not entirely bad.
Tomorrow I get to return to Mrs. G’s class to give them a pump-up cheer on their NaNoWriMo project. (Remember I told you they’re writing a book in a month? In 8th grade? Because Mrs. G is awesome?) I’m probably going to get a lot of questions like, “What do I do now? I can’t think of what should happen next.” And I’ll tell them to make something explode. Which is only half a joke. The other half of it is true: in a story, a great number of things can explode in order to move the plot along. Physically, emotionally, socially, psychologically… explosions make for great conflict, and conflict will move your story forward. (My own written explosions tend to be emotional and psychological, with an occasional social one. I should branch out into the physical explosion world. But that’s not really my style. We shall see…)
I am reading GRACELING. Because Agent Meredith suggested it. Someone with whom she was discussing my submission said it reminded her of Graceling. So I got it. And I’m reading it. Have you? Have your kids/neighbors/acquaintences, if you’re not a teenage-book reader? I have heard one amazing review of book 3 in the series (that comes out later this month), but little else about the series. And there is certainly an element that is similar to FIFTH GIFT. I’ll let you know what I think when I’ve finished it. Meanwhile, you tell me (you know, if you read it…)
Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of TELL ME WHO I AM — do it today.
(Sorry. Sometimes I channel Señorita Bossy Pants. I’ll try to reign it in.)
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[1] This is usual, actually. I don’t really write with other people around. Because I am easily distracted, that’s why. And I listen and talk and prepare snacks instead of pushing keys. But I might have to
(12) Comments for this blog
Hmm. Graceling? My critique buddy has a similar writing style. I should hook you two up.
Hmm. Graceling? My critique buddy has a similar writing style. I should hook you two up.
I’m so excited for you to go to New York! And you’re right, you can do it! Have a wonderful time and come back with pictures! (Also, I totally want to see the prom pics.)
It delights me to no end to know you’re working on a follow up to FIFTH GIFT. Seriously! And you’ll have excellent advice for Mr. G’s class. I still think it’s so cool he’s having them do Nano.
I haven’t read Graceling but I’ve heard a lot about it. I guess I should pick it up, huh?
I’m so excited for you to go to New York! And you’re right, you can do it! Have a wonderful time and come back with pictures! (Also, I totally want to see the prom pics.)
It delights me to no end to know you’re working on a follow up to FIFTH GIFT. Seriously! And you’ll have excellent advice for Mr. G’s class. I still think it’s so cool he’s having them do Nano.
I haven’t read Graceling but I’ve heard a lot about it. I guess I should pick it up, huh?
I have read Graceling and overall you should consider that a big compliment. Unfortunately there are some antimarriage themes in it so definitely read it before you pass it on to your daughters.
I have read Graceling and overall you should consider that a big compliment. Unfortunately there are some antimarriage themes in it so definitely read it before you pass it on to your daughters.
I want to come to New York. I never get to do anything fun. Like get an agent. I need to be more like you, I guess. That’s my new goal: Be more like Becca.
I want to come to New York. I never get to do anything fun. Like get an agent. I need to be more like you, I guess. That’s my new goal: Be more like Becca.
I wish I were going to New York with you. Sigh.
I wish I were going to New York with you. Sigh.
Prom pics are definitely de rigeur. How’s that for snooty fan status?
Prom pics are definitely de rigeur. How’s that for snooty fan status?